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Posted by jmbo
- July 24, 2016, 07:28:19 AMQuote from: Ironworking on July 24, 2016, 01:30:10 AMThere are other advantages to HD ownership. For those who finally get over all the "the dealer is the only one who can fix my Hardly" hype and B.S., you find there are tons of shops that work on the bikes. I admit there are some of these shops I wouldn't ask to fix my lawnmower but there are some good shops none the less. There are also tons of parts and accessories from tons of sources. Not something we Drifter folks enjoy. As far as the rest of the "brotherhood" crap. They can have it.I agree. That was funny. All BS aside though, the reason Indians & Harley-Davidsons lasted with John Q public for the first 70+ years was simplicity. Anyone who had the skills to work on a Chevy could work on every part of these bikes. Including the engine an tranny. Also, just about every part that could need replacing could also be found on most farms or local parts stores. It is the modern corporate confluctuation ( my word ) that has been the tragedy of both brands. Albeit the Indian suffered earlier due to poor decisions made during the WW wars.
Another thing. The 80 ci Evo engine is absolutely the most reliable engine HD ever produced. They sold so few parts and repairs were so rarely needed, HD regretted making them. So the solution was build the 88 Twin Cam that is not extremely reliable. And the fuel pump in the gas tank is one of the most consumer unfriendly advances ever made. And it has long been proven, the fuel pump does not have to be in the tank for FI to work.
Posted by Ironworking
- July 24, 2016, 01:30:10 AMI agree. That was funny. All BS aside though, the reason Indians & Harley-Davidsons lasted with John Q public for the first 70+ years was simplicity. Anyone who had the skills to work on a Chevy could work on every part of these bikes. Including the engine an tranny. Also, just about every part that could need replacing could also be found on most farms or local parts stores. It is the modern corporate confluctuation ( my word ) that has been the tragedy of both brands. Albeit the Indian suffered earlier due to poor decisions made during the WW wars.
Another thing. The 80 ci Evo engine is absolutely the most reliable engine HD ever produced. They sold so few parts and repairs were so rarely needed, HD regretted making them. So the solution was build the 88 Twin Cam that is not extremely reliable. And the fuel pump in the gas tank is one of the most consumer unfriendly advances ever made. And it has long been proven, the fuel pump does not have to be in the tank for FI to work.However, i too think they have almost priced themselves out of existence. Every company that does; doesn't figure it out until it is too late. That is why "they" are no longer in existence. If they had of saw the writing on the wall, they would have adjusted their policies to prevent that outcome.
Okay. I'm done! Rant over.
Posted by mittico68
- July 24, 2016, 01:00:02 AMQuote from: Indian_fan on July 23, 2016, 23:12:03 PMthe friend/coworker who gave me the nudge to get back in the saddle is a Harley rider. But he's not hung up on Harley's like some people are, so he's not holding my purchase of a drifter against me - he was actually admiring my bike.
That's what I assume to be regarding harley's bikes: I don't think I'll ever buy one, since they're not worth all the money of their costs; but I admire those Harley wich are customized enough to meet my taste...
Posted by Indian_fan
- July 23, 2016, 23:12:03 PMNow THAT was funny. However, the friend/coworker who gave me the nudge to get back in the saddle is a Harley rider. But he's not hung up on Harley's like some people are, so he's not holding my purchase of a drifter against me - he was actually admiring my bike.
Posted by DC
- July 23, 2016, 22:16:24 PMThey nailed it to a T. Hilarious!!!!! 
Posted by Old Drifter
- July 23, 2016, 09:43:16 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Sad but true in many cases...too funny. 
Posted by tj
- July 23, 2016, 06:23:51 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMLMAOThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Posted by Trall
- July 23, 2016, 01:51:19 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMAbsolutely hilariousThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Posted by RockinRollin
- July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Posted by mittico68
- July 20, 2016, 09:22:23 AMYou know what?
If only I could, I'd go with an early Indian or even more, with a Kiwi Indian: IMHO those bikes are worth each and every cent!
Posted by DC
- July 20, 2016, 09:17:03 AMKawasaki was ahead of the curve in making the Drifters liquid cooled. So far, Indian only makes one model liquid cooled.
Posted by mittico68
- July 20, 2016, 09:10:09 AMOh well, when it happens to see a man ridin' his $30and+K Harley, I just keep on thinkin' he asked for it!
Posted by Zoar
- July 20, 2016, 08:50:24 AMQuote from: mittico68 on July 20, 2016, 08:23:17 AMExactly. That is like being proud of a snake-oil salesman who uses guile and deception to take money from hard working people's pockets.The only thing I could say in their favor, it's that Harley's marketing guru's made well their job... but I dunno if that's really something to be proud of...
Posted by mittico68
- July 20, 2016, 08:25:53 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 05:20:24 AMAbout the time I found the Drifter I was considering buying a new Indian but didn't for the same reason, nice bikes , look great but expensive (more than 3 X what I paid for the Drifter) and not nearly as interesting when people find out it's not an Indian.
Yeah... and you should also consider this is the case in wich the student has surpassed the master!!
Posted by mittico68
- July 20, 2016, 08:23:17 AMQuote from: Zoar on July 19, 2016, 13:04:57 PMWell, they are grossly over priced and not really that well designed or made. Yet there are those who adore them. Ergo, arguably they adore over-priced inferior design and inferior quality. What kid of brain does that? (See answer above)
The only thing I could say in their favor, it's that Harley's marketing guru's made well their job... but I dunno if that's really something to be proud of...